Many parents are choosing to make their own baby food over purchasing commercially produced baby food. Controlling the ingredients and freshness of the food, saving money over commercially produced baby food and being environmentally friendly are just three reasons parents opt to make their own.

Equipment Needed

You may be surprised to find out that very little equipment is needed to make your own baby food. The basic equipment includes:

• Blender or food processor
• Fork
• Strainer
• Basic pan for steaming or boiling
• Ice-cube trays for freezing and storage

Baby’s First Foods

Between four and six months of age is when parents begin introducing solid foods. When you think that baby may be ready for more than just formula or breast milk, it may be time to introduce single-ingredient solid foods.

Common first foods for baby include:
• Bananas
• Avocados
• Apples
• Pears
• Peas
• Carrots
• Squash
• Sweet potatoes

Baby in high chair waiting to eat food

How to Make Your Own Baby Food

Making your own baby food is easier than you may think. Before beginning, make sure your hands, work surfaces and equipment is clean. Prepare your ingredients by washing and peeling when necessary.

Baby Food Recipes

Bananas:
• Peel a ripe banana
• Puree in a blender or food processor or mash with a fork.
• Add formula or breast milk to thin out the consistency

Peaches, Pears and Apples:
• Peel the fruit and cut into small chunks
• Steam until the fruit becomes tender. This may take longer for apples and pears.
• Reserve some of the cooking water
• Puree in a blender or a fruit processor, or mash with a fork.
• Reserve some of the cooking water. Use to thin out the puree to achieve desired consistency.

Sweet Potatoes and Carrots:
• Peel sweet potatoes or carrots and cut into small chunks
• Place in a pan and enough water to cover the potatoes
• Boil until potatoes become tender
• Reserve some of the cooking water
• Puree in a blender or food processor
• Add some of the reserved cooking water to achieve desired consistency

Peas, Green Beans:
• Wash the vegetable
• Steam until vegetable becomes tender
• Reserve some of the cooking water
• Puree in a blender or food processor
• Add some of the reserved cooking water to achieve desired consistency.

Avocados:
• Before slicing, roll an avocado on the counter to help separate the meat from the shell
• Slice the avocado and mash with a fork. There is no need to cook an avocado.

Storing Homemade Baby Food
When learning how to make your own baby food, you will probably be making more than you need for a single serving. Store leftover baby food by pouring the puree into empty ice-cube trays and freezing.

Once the homemade baby food is frozen, you can pop the cubes out and keep in freezer bags. Generally one cube will equal one serving.

Making your own baby food is not only healthier and more cost effective than store-bought baby food, but it is quite easy to make.

Popular Books About Making Homemade Baby Food

Top 100 Baby Purees: 100 Quick and Easy Meals for a Healthy and Happy Baby	The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet: Know What Goes Into Every Bite with More Than 200 of the Most Deliciously Nutritious Homemade Baby Food ... More Than 60 Purees Your Baby Will Love	Blender Baby Food: Over 125 Recipes for Healthy Homemade Meals	The Petit Appetit Cookbook: Easy, Organic Recipes to Nurture Your Baby and Toddler
Cooking for Baby: Wholesome, Homemade, Delicious Foods for 6 to 18 Months	Homemade Baby Food Pure and Simple: Your Complete Guide to Preparing Easy, Nutritious, and Delicious Meals for Your Baby and Toddler		First Meals (New Expanded Edition)